MLB Player News

Chapman (finger) struck out two and did not allow a baserunner in a scoreless inning to earn a hold Thursday against the Cubs.

Chapman was removed from Sunday's appearance with a cracked fingernail, but the issue was never expected to require a long-term absence. After beginning the season as the Pirates' primary setup man, Chapman appeared in the seventh inning Thursday while Colin Holderman followed him in the eighth frame.

Martinez (1-2) earned the win over the Dodgers on Thursday, pitching five shutout innings in relief while allowing one hit and striking out four.

Martinez relieved Justin Wilson to open the bottom of the third and proceeded to retire 15 of the 16 batters he faced while generating 12 swings and misses. Martinez has been outstanding in a relief role and carries a 0.87 ERA to go along with a 9:2 K:BB through 10.1 innings in May over four appearances.

Bednar picked up the save against the Cubs on Thursday, pitching a perfect ninth inning while striking out one.

Bednar entered the game to protect a one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth and needed only eight pitches to retire the side and secure his ninth save of the season. The right-handed reliever has converted each of his last eight save attempts and carries a 2.57 ERA in May to go along with a 6:2 K:BB. Bednar has also recorded at least one strikeout in three straight appearances and in six of seven appearances overall this month.

Alvarado (1-2) took the loss during Thursday's 11-inning 6-5 loss to the Mets, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and no walks across one inning. He struck out two.

Alvarado didn't take the mound until the 11th frame with the score tied 4-4 and ended up with the loss. He allowed a single to J.D. Martinez to open up the inning -- scoring designated runner Francisco Lindor -- before Harrison Bader doubled to put two runners aboard. Alvarado managed to retire the next three batters he faced; however, Martinez crossed home plate on a wild pitch to give the Mets an insurance run. Through 18.2 innings, Alvarado owns a 3.86 ERA and is 8-for-8 in save chances.

Diaz blew the save Thursday against Philadelphia, allowing one run on one hit and one walk with two strikeouts over one inning.

Diaz inherited a one-run lead for the bottom of the ninth but was unable to convert his sixth save of 2024. Instead, Diaz walked Brandon Marsh and then allowed Marsh to reach second on a wild pitch before Bryson Stott hit an RBI single to send the game into extras. Diaz has blown three of his last four save chances and has allowed six runs over his last eight innings.

The Dodgers optioned Salazar to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Salazar was recalled from Triple-A and made his season debut Wednesday, allowing one unearned run while striking out three batters and walking two across two innings. He'll now return to the minors in favor of Nick Ramirez, who was recalled in a corresponding move.

The Dodgers recalled Ramirez from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Ramirez has allowed just one run across seven big-league innings this season, and he has thrown 5.2 shutout frames in Triple-A since being sent down in late April. The 34-year-old southpaw will likely serve in middle relief while with the Dodgers, and Eduardo Salazar will head back to Oklahoma City in a corresponding move.

Cronin gave up a hit and struck out one in 1.2 scoreless innings Wednesday, recording his first hold of the season in a win over the Tigers.

The 26-year-old right-hander entered the game in the sixth inning with the Marlins ahead 2-0 and blanked Detroit over 22 pitches (14 strikes) before passing the baton to Andrew Nardi in a combined shutout. Cronin isn't seeing consistent high-leverage usage, but he's been one of the few bright spots in Miami's bullpen this season, posting a 1.33 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 22:10 K:BB through 20.1 innings in a long-relief role.

Johnson (elbow) said he felt good after throwing live batting practice Wednesday, and he's on track to come off the injured list ahead of Friday's game against the Padres, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The right-hander has been on the shelf since late April due to right elbow inflammation. Johnson has been an effective part of Atlanta's setup crew this season, recording two wins, a save and three holds in 13 appearances with a 3.00 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB through 12 innings.

Doval earned the save over the Dodgers on Wednesday, allowing one hit and one walk over one inning while striking out two.

Doval entered the game with a three-run lead in the ninth and quickly retired the first two batters on strikes before walking Mookie Betts and surrendering a single to Shohei Ohtani. However, the right-hander was able to get Freddie Freeman to ground out for the final out and notch his seventh save in as many chances. Doval has also recorded two strikeouts in three straight appearances.